VETERANS fighting plans to uproot Crewe's war memorial have won important new allies.

Friends of War Memorials, which is the national charity dedicated to preserving war memorial heritage, says it is 'thoroughly disappointed' with a decision to move the landmark from the town centre.

Its comments were made as objectors, led by former soldier Frank Jones, 69, plan a public meeting to thrash out their next step.

They have called for a mass protest after Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council's executive board voted to move the 80-year-old memorial from Market Square to the Municipal Square.

The decision earlier this month was made despite a petition signed by move than 2,000 people objecting to the move.

Dr Pedro Gaspar, conservation officer for Friends of War Memorials, said: 'We were thoroughly disappointed to learn of the council's decision and will support future campaigning for a rethink on the matter.

'This issue was brought to our attention several weeks ago by the Combined Services Association of Crewe and we have heard from many ex-servicemen and women from the area on the matter.

'All were upset at the prospect of the memorial being moved and we lodged our objection with the council.

'In our view a memorial should only be moved if it is posing a risk to the public or is no longer accessible.

'Crewe did not meet this criteria which was why we were whole-heartedly against the project.'

The charity, set up to protect memorials from vandalism, theft and neglect, has Countess Mountbatten as its patron, Earl Nelson as a vice-president and Winston S Churchill among its trustees.

Dr Gaspar added: 'If the decision is not reversed we will work to ensure it is placed in a reverential setting and restored.'

Civic leaders insist that moving the memorial, as part of a £3m revamp of Crewe's town centre squares, is the best way forward.

It means the authority can press ahead with plans to modernise the main shopping area.

Designs include a fountain, street furniture and a glass henge in place of the memorial.